Meshell, ma belle!

Finally, pictures of the wonderfulgoodies Meshell sent me for our swap (my half here).  Above, the one thing I really wanted to get from her – cushion covers.  I have had a pair of duck feather cushion inserts from John Lewis kicking about the flat for over a year now, and being the sewing inept that I am, have not had the ability to make covers for them (as an aside, do you all get that ‘well, I’m not going to buy something I can perfectly well make myself’ stubborness thing, or is it just me?)  And truly, Meshell could not have done a better job if she had known me for one hundred years.  These are perfect; colourful without being ott, passing the all important T-test (he really likes them, by the way M!) and fitting in with our other linens perfectly.

Meshell also sewed me this lovely knitting bag (which I am using as an all purpose handbag, as it is far too lovely to be consigned for such a mundane purpose as holding my evergrowing pile of wips) with the perfect fabric from Aunty Cookie.  But, not content with spoiling me with that piece of the fabric…

..Meshell sent me my own piece, along with a gorgeous maroony shaded fabric from Kirin & Co.  Thank you so much for these, they will be hoarded most closely.

Continuing the Australia theme of the package, I received lovely Silk Road yarn from Jo Sharp, and a teatowel from Bilby Yarns, Meshell’s favourite fibre shop, in addition to a colour-perfect set of coasters.

And then, the absolute piéce de resistance…

…SPINNIGANS!  For me!  Wonderful, beautiful hand-spun yarn, the first called ‘Esmerelda’ (of course!), the second ‘The Flower Garden’, both soft, both glorious in colour, both so very treasured by me.  I don’t think I can bring myself to knit them, so they may just have to stay as pet yarns, to be lovingly adored and stroked on special occassions.

Meshell, thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into my wonderful presents.  I will treasure them for a long time to come.

One in Ten

New Forest Socks

30% cashmere, 70% merino wool blend, in ‘Serendipity’ colourway from Posh Yarn

Women’s size M (US7/UK6)

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I am not by nature particularly altruistic. Day-to-day, my temper gets the better of me, and I can be unkind to those unlucky enough to cross or slight me. To make up for this failing and to remind myself that, actually, my life is pretty damned blessed, I occasionally try to make some small gesture to help someone whom life has given a bit of a kicking.

And it has to be said that altruism and generosity are much better when collective. So, go to OneinTen and see some other, incredibly gorgeous ‘gestures’. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about helping when and how you can. And it isn’t about ego or worrying that your contribution won’t bring in as much interest or money as other’s (yep, guilty of that one too…) This auction serves as a wonderful reminder of the good in all of us, and the strength of our community in reaching out to support those of our members who have had a kicking and need a little support in getting up again. Eireann’s mother is a remarkable woman, and it humbles and honours me to be able to reach out to her in some small way.

Edit: Thank you, thank you for the kind comments – your words mean an awful lot to this obsessive neurotic! I forgot to mention that the auction will run, on eBay, from August 19-25, so make sure to check it out. More details to come on this blog and here. I will write up the ‘pattern’ (although it really doesn’t deserve that title) and post it here at some point.

Soft shoe shuffling and Fred the Pirate Rabbit from Taurangi

About two weeks ago (yes, getting items from reality to blog is a sloooow process round Casa Esmerelda way) I received my purchases from two of the talented women singled out in this post on NZ crafters (by the way, you must check out Lovely NZ, a new site from the generous and lovely Charlotte of Anknel and Burblets which highlights wonderful blogs and other great things from NZ).  From Melissa’s shop, a pair of tiny happy soft shoes for my cousin’s bairn, due in about two weeks (I will be contributing a little knitted goodness for my newest wee cous, more on which later).  Not only are the shoes beautiful and oh-so-sweet, but Melissa went ABCD and sent me some NZ wool (to add to the evergrowing stash) and a hand made tissue holder – way more than I would expect, and very appreciated.  Thanks, Melissa!

Et maintenant, mesdames et messieurs, je vous presente…

the dread pirate Fred, a rabbit.  When he went up on Kelly’s shop, I knew this sweet bunny face had to come to my house.  T, well, he may disagree – I will not sully your ears with some of the choice adjectives bandied around by my other half, although he did, in a weak moment, admit that Fred is ‘quirky cute’ and ‘very you’ (that is to say, very esmerelda).  Which is something, I suppose!

Fred says “Aaarr!”

Sunday, Sunday

Blackberry muffins, adapted from Soulemama’s recipe…

…a blimmin’ long cycle ride along the Thames…

…and a beer with my boy.

::seven of seven::peace out, dudes!::

Forgot to post this on Saturday. I had a great time during 7 days and will definitely be doing the next round.

NB: There are still two places for handknit goodies for me in the Pay It Forward exchange. Leave a comment or drop me an email (link in the song of me page), pay it forward on your own blog, and I’ll hook you up.

Birthday Blues

esmerelda:”You know it’s my birthday in three weeks, right, darling?”

Himself:”Of course, my jewel!  What delights shall I pour forth on that, the wondrous day of your birth, sun of my desert?  What gewgaws and trinkets would elicit my paramour’s pleasure?”

esmerelda:”…?”

I haven’t a clue.  Normally I have no trouble whatsoever crafting a veritable smorgasboard of ideas for presents (I like to think it is a useful tool for my very busy family, and not simply gluttonous grasping).  But this year…drawing a blank.  Surely wool would be good?  Or books? Fabric, maybe?  But no, none of these excite or tempt.  Because I know exactly what I need and want, and you cannot wrap it up in pretty papers and ribbons galore.

I want more bloody time.  All the wool, books and fabric in the world cannot possibly make me happy if I have not the time to knit it, read them or sew it up. 

Revelations

One of the main reasons for beginning this journal was to connect with other people. For a while I was frustrated because I thought ‘if you write it, they will come’, but it doesn’t work like that.

To become a true part of the blogging community, of any community, you have to participate, get involved, learn about other people and connect right back. Yes, participating in swaps such as Secret Pal has other benefits, most notably receiving thoughtful gifts from other knitters who take the time to consider your likes and dislikes and invariably know your knitting predilictions better than your non-knitting friends, no matter how close.

But, and I say this with a resounding knell of joy in my heart, clearly the greatest benefit of this initiative for me has been to feel that connection I longed for with not one but two fantastic women. Clare, thank you for your generosity, for writing to me when you were being kicked every which way by work, and for my beautiful socks!

And Jenni, thank you for letting me spoil you a little bit and for giving me an insight into your life.

I look forward to happy friendships with you both. And there is nothing more profound than that.

::six of seven::muse en repose::

Pay It Forward

No, not the drippy Kevin Spacey movie, but a crafty revolution, people!  I found this exchange through Kirsty but her spots were taken so I headed over to Nicolette’s and signed up there.  Here’s the deal:

The first three people to leave a comment to this post stating that they would like to join the exchange will receive a handmade gift from me.  Gifts will be of my choosing, although they are likely to be knitted, given my inability in all other crafts!  The condition of this gift is that you then pay the gift forward to three people on your own blog: get one, give three.  Imagine the karma, folks!

All comers welcome – long-time (hah! six months in and look at my head swell!) or just stumbled across this place today.

Thanks for all the lovely comments about the 7 days pictures.  I tend towards laziness in taking photos for the blog, so the project has come as a useful boot up the bum.  And a very enjoyable one, at that!  I have actual knitting/crafty content to come later in the week including a great revelation, more kiwi craftings, sockapalooza news and a whole hunk of grey, so please stick with me!

::five of seven::chop chop capsicum::